Hurricanes http://www.srh.noaa.gov/crp/?n=education-hurricanes

What is a hurricane? Hurricanes are tropical cyclones. They form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern Pacific Ocean. Their winds spiral outward in a counterclockwise, circulation pattern.

What conditions must exist for a hurricane to form? Low to medium winds blowing in the same direction 5–30 degrees north of the equator in the ocean Ocean surface temperature of greater than 80 F (27 C) that extends down to about 150 feet deep (50 m) Lower atmosphere must be moist

How do hurricanes form? The air mass above the tropical waters takes on the temperature and humidity of the water beneath it. Incoming winds force the air upward. The warm, moist air rises, forming water vapor and clouds. Above the storm, the winds flow outward. Outside winds blow inward, and the cycle repeats.

How do hurricanes move? Hurricanes turn to the right, away from the equator, because of the Coriolis effect caused by Earth’s rotation.

Where does the energy for a hurricane originate? The Sun heats the oceans more in the equatorial regions. The air above the ocean is warmed. Warm air rises, and as it cools, it releases energy, fueling the hurricane.

Where do hurricanes form and why? In tropical areas because the temperature of the oceans is warm enough. The Sun heats the lower latitude oceans more than the higher latitude oceans. The area is closer to the equator.

Why don’t hurricanes form in higher latitudes? The temperature of the oceans is not warm enough. The Sun does not heat the higher latitude oceans as much as the lower latitude oceans. The distance is too far from the equator.

Hurricane Katrina http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/katrina/

Reflective Question How do oceans play a role in the development of weather systems including hurricanes?